"I still believe in you, Prince of Snezhnaya."
Andrius spoke slowly, a trace of pride impossible to hide in his tone.
"Everything you said to Klee and Razor—I heard it all clearly. You were harsh, even cruel on the surface, but every word was for those children's future."
Through careful observation of Severin's words and actions, Andrius had glimpsed the prince's gentler side.
"And with your strength, there was no need to bargain with me at all. Yet you chose to act through negotiation rather than force. That alone proves you are not seeking to ignite a war between nations."
He paused, then repeated Severin's earlier words—slowly, carefully, without missing a single syllable.
'I want that light to pierce the darkness.
So children like Razor and Klee will no longer fear the night,
so they are never left alone in despair.
Even if it costs everything, I will let that light illuminate every home in Teyvat.'
He had listened very closely.
"Old wolf," Severin said flatly,
"did Barbatos never teach you not to live too cleverly? It shortens one's lifespan."
Despite Andrius's colossal form, standing before Severin now made him seem strangely small.
It was Severin who had become the one worth looking up to.
"I'm nothing more than a lingering remnant," Andrius chuckled.
"Prince, spare me the teasing. You are Mondstadt's new faith—
you are humanity's greatest Lupical."
Severin's expression cooled.
"I've heard enough flattery in my lifetime. I don't need yours.
You're only trying to please me so I'll help train Razor."
His small scheme exposed, Andrius asked shamelessly,
"Will you help him, Prince? That child's talent and potential surpass most humans."
The gaze of an ancient god was never shallow.
For years, Andrius had deliberately nurtured Razor—
passing down a legacy, rather than merely training him.
Razor could not inherit his bloodline, but he could inherit his spirit.
"Razor's stubbornness and resilience rival even the children of the House of the Hearth," Severin said.
"Since I injured him earlier just to meet you, I'll leave behind a fragment of my understanding of Electro—consider it compensation."
Andrius felt a twinge of disappointment.
What he truly hoped was that Severin would take Razor with him.
In an age of chaos, following a prince whose power rivaled that of gods was far better than guarding a dying remnant soul.
Severin saw through his thoughts immediately.
"Old wolf, Razor would never agree to leave with me.
What he protects is Lupical. You and the wolf pack are his family."
Andrius froze.
Yes.
Protecting the forest.
Protecting the wolves.
Protecting Wolvendom—his family.
That was Razor's entire world.
"…I'm ashamed," Andrius sighed.
A young prince, not yet a century old, saw more clearly than a wolf king who had clung to existence for hundreds of years.
"Andrius," Severin continued calmly,
"if you knew that the fragment of Electro insight I'm leaving behind came from the Raiden Ei herself, you wouldn't feel disappointed at all."
Andrius's eyes filled instantly.
Securing such an opportunity for Razor—
even death would hold no regrets now.
"On behalf of that child, I thank you for your grace, Prince of Snezhnaya."
"Thank your Anemo Archon instead," Severin replied indifferently.
"If he hadn't been hiding from me, I wouldn't have gone to such lengths to find you."
Helping Razor appeared spontaneous—but Severin had his reasons.
By leaving behind a fragment of Raiden Ei's divine comprehension, Razor could, with enough effort, one day become Mondstadt's next North Wind god.
A wolf that roams a thousand miles does so either to repay a debt—or to hunt.
No matter Razor's future allegiance, today's kindness would yield returns.
Severin considered only one thing—
Would Razor grow strong enough before the Heavenly Principles descended?
"Mondstadt's land is beautiful," Severin said casually.
"Scenic, fertile… and the girls aren't hard on the eyes either."
Almost on cue, Amber's anxious voice rang out nearby.
"Prince Severin—where are you?!"
Looks like the merchant caravan issue had been resolved.
With a wave of his sleeve, Severin restored Razor's consciousness.
Klee crouched in the corner, trembling.
Though she couldn't hear the conversation, she had seen it clearly—
The North Wind's deep fear.
His extraordinary reverence toward the Prince of Snezhnaya.
Even a guardian of the Four Winds had yielded.
What could a mere Spark Knight do?
Still… the Prince hadn't killed anyone.
If he truly wanted blood, he would've acted long ago.
Today was the most humiliating day of Klee's life.
Yet through it, she learned something for the first time—
Reflection.
And respect for strength.
"Prince Severin," she said softly,
"Amber-sister is here. I'll go bring her over."
He had expected shouting. Crying. Running for help.
Instead—calm obedience.
The lesson had taken root.
"Your backpack," Severin said,
"and your Vision."
At his nod, the items he had taken were returned.
Suddenly—
Severin's brow furrowed sharply.
From the corner of his vision, he saw Razor lung forward and bite down hard on his arm.
The skin tore.
But Severin's blood was no longer red.
It shimmered in dark gold—
the so-called golden blood of a being approaching divinity.
Startled beyond reason, Razor released him instantly, flipping backward several times before placing himself in front of Andrius, arms spread wide in defense.
Warmth surged through Andrius's chest—but his voice was stern.
"Razor! That's enough—apologize to His Highness at once!"
Razor remained unmoved, eyes locked on Severin.
He remembered nothing of what had happened while unconscious.
Instinct alone told him—this man was dangerous.
"It's fine," Severin said calmly.
"I forgive him."
In Snezhnaya, even disrespectful words toward the prince warranted severe punishment—
let alone a direct attack.
"The pride of wolves is born into them," Severin continued.
"They never bow easily. Razor—when we meet again someday, I hope you'll still hold your head as high as you do today."
At that moment, Klee returned with Amber.
"Prince Severin—you're injured!"
Amber panicked.
An attack on Snezhnaya's prince within Mondstadt could spiral into catastrophe—
or even an international incident.
And after flying together atop Dvalin, her personal concern ran deeper than duty.
She grabbed Severin's arm.
"We're going back to Mondstadt now for treatment."
"It's nothing, Miss Amber," Severin said lightly.
"There's really no need to worry."
"You're Mondstadt's honored guest," Amber said, hands on her hips.
"And guests listen to their hosts."
Without waiting for agreement, she wrapped her arm around his other side, spread her Wind Glider—
And pulled him skyward.
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